Diabetes

Apopka Medical Center

Dean Behner, MD

Internal Medicine located in Apopka, FL

Diabetes or prediabetes affects more than 100 million American adults. If you live in or around Apopka, Florida, and have diabetes or your blood sugar levels are increasing, contact Dr. Dean Behner for expert diabetes management support today. Dr. Behner treats patients at Apopka Medical Center and provides customized treatment to help you control your diabetes. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today for expert medical care.

Diabetes Q & A

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition where your body is unable to properly process glucose — also referred to as blood sugar — into energy. Your body is unable to make this conversion either because it doesn’t produce enough insulin or it doesn’t use the available insulin correctly.

There are three primary forms of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. It’s also referred to as juvenile diabetes because the condition is most often diagnosed early in life. Medical researchers suspect that when you have Type 1 diabetes, your immune system attacked your pancreas and destroyed the tissue responsible for insulin production.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t use insulin correctly, partly because of a condition is known as insulin resistance. The exact cause of Type 2 diabetes is unknown, however lifestyle factors — including being overweight or obese, eating an unhealthy diet, and leading a sedentary lifestyle — increase your risk of the disease.

Gestational diabetes is usually a temporary form of diabetes that develops during the second trimester of pregnancy because the placenta releases hormones that interfere with your body’s ability to use insulin. It’s typically managed with dietary adjustments and often resolves after your baby is born.

What are signs of diabetes?

Diabetes causes a variety of symptoms, including:

Excessive thirst and hunger

Frequent urination

Fatigue

Dry skin

Slow-to-heal sores

Blurry vision

Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet

If you experience any of these warning signs, make an appointment with Dr. Behner for diagnosis.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Dr. Behner diagnoses diabetes with a physical exam and diagnostic blood tests. He discusses your symptoms and medical history and asks about your overall health and lifestyle. You’ll need blood work to check your glucose level and hemoglobin A1C, and you may need several blood tests over a period of time to confirm that your glucose levels are consistently high.

How is diabetes treated?

Dr. Behner usually begins treatment for diabetes by recommending lifestyle modifications. If you have prediabetes, often adjusting your diet to cut out sugar and refined carbohydrates and adding 30 minutes of moderate exercise to your day can improve the way your body uses blood sugar.

If your disease is more advanced, you may also need medications to control your blood sugar and your symptoms.